AMD EPYC 7413 vs Intel Xeon w5-3535X Comparison

The Intel Xeon w5-3535X and AMD EPYC 7413 are both high-core-count server/workstation processors, but they are built for distinctly different jobs. The data shows the Xeon w5-3535X is the outright performance leader in most general and single-threaded workloads, while the EPYC 7413 counters with decisive wins in specialized, math-heavy tasks. If your priority is raw, across-the-board speed and you can accommodate a 300 W TDP and DDR5, the Xeon is the clear pick. If your workload is dominated by integer math, encryption, or prime-number searches, the EPYC 7413 offers superior performance in those specific areas, albeit with a lower overall average benchmark score.

The Verdict

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: the Intel Xeon w5-3535X is the faster processor in the majority of tests. It wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including every Cinebench test and the PassMark multithread and single-thread metrics. Its average benchmark score of 81115 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, just edging out the EPYC 7413's average score of 80041, which sits in the 95th percentile. For most users, the Xeon is the better choice, providing a consistent performance advantage across rendering, compression, and general processing.

The EPYC 7413 is not without merit, however. It wins 5 of the 17 benchmarks, and its victories are often by large margins. It excels at data encryption (48492 vs 36784, a 24.1% delta), integer math (215629 vs 186158, a 13.7% delta), and prime number finding (397 vs 269, a 32.2% delta). This makes it a specialized tool for specific computational tasks. The decision comes down to workload: choose the Xeon for general versatility and top-tier single-core speed; choose the EPYC for specific math and cryptography workloads where its architecture provides a significant edge, and where its lower 180 W TDP is a consideration.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon w5-3535X is built on the Sapphire Rapids architecture using a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 4x 477 mm². It features 20 cores and 40 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, plus a 52.5 MB L3 cache. It supports DDR5 memory across an eight-channel bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 307.2 GB/s. It also offers PCIe Gen 5 with 112 lanes (CPU only), and its multiplier is unlocked for overclocking. Its TDP is a substantial 300 W.

The AMD EPYC 7413 uses the Zen 3 architecture (codename Milan) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 4x 81 mm² and 16,600 million transistors. It has more cores and threads than the Intel chip: 24 cores and 48 threads. However, its clocks are lower, with a base of 2.65 GHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz. Its cache is organized differently, with 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a much larger 128 MB shared L3 cache. It uses DDR4 memory on an eight-channel bus, providing 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). Unlike the Intel part, its multiplier is locked, and its TDP is a more modest 180 W.

These architectural differences explain the performance gaps. The Xeon's higher clock speeds and newer DDR5 memory give it a significant advantage in single-threaded and memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads. The EPYC's larger L3 cache and higher core count help it in specific multi-threaded tasks that can utilize its unique cache hierarchy.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon w5-3535X dominates the Cinebench suite, showing a consistent 6.8% advantage across all tests. In Cinebench R23, it scores 45974 multicore and 6490 singlecore, versus the EPYC's 43044 and 6076. This pattern holds for R20 (19309 vs 18078 multicore; 2725 vs 2551 singlecore) and R15 (4634 vs 4338 multicore; 654 vs 612 singlecore). This is a clear sign of superior per-core performance and overall rendering capability.

The PassMark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. The Xeon wins big in single-thread performance, scoring 3602 versus the EPYC's 2400 — a massive 50.1% delta. It also leads in floating-point math (145924 vs 118881, a 22.7% delta) and extended instructions (60183 vs 45696, a 31.7% delta), and edges out the EPYC in data compression (731388 vs 715616, a 2.2% delta) and multithread (54088 vs 50641, a 6.8% delta).

The EPYC 7413 strikes back in specific areas. Its most significant win is in data encryption, scoring 48492 versus the Xeon's 36784, a 24.1% delta in its favor. It also wins in integer math (215629 vs 186158, a 13.7% delta), prime number finding (397 vs 269, a 32.2% delta), and physics (4708 vs 3547, a 24.7% delta). It also takes random string sorting (81134 vs 73618, a 9.3% delta). These results show that while the EPYC is slower in general tasks, its architecture is tuned for specific mathematical operations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-3535X is vastly superior. In the PassMark single-thread test, it scores 3602 compared to the EPYC 7413's 2400, a 50.1% advantage. It also wins every single-core Cinebench test by 6.8%.

Q: Is the AMD EPYC 7413 better at any compute task?

A: Yes, the data shows it wins in data encryption (48492 vs 36784), integer math (215629 vs 186158), find prime numbers (397 vs 269), physics (4708 vs 3547), and random string sorting (81134 vs 73618).

Q: How do they compare in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-3535X is consistently ahead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 45974 versus the EPYC's 43044, a 6.8% lead. It also wins PassMark multithread with a score of 54088 versus 50641.

Q: What are the memory specifications for each?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-3535X supports DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and a bandwidth of 307.2 GB/s. The AMD EPYC 7413 supports DDR4 memory, also with an eight-channel bus, but with a lower bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7413 has more, with 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Xeon w5-3535X has 20 cores and 40 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-3535X has a TDP of 300 W, while the AMD EPYC 7413 has a lower TDP of 180 W.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon w5-3535X is the winner for most general-purpose, high-performance workstation tasks. Its dominance in Cinebench indicates it is the superior choice for 3D rendering, video editing, and any workload that relies on floating-point math. The 50.1% lead in single-thread performance makes it ideal for applications that are not fully multi-threaded or that require fast response times per core. The significant 31.7% edge in extended instructions suggests better support for modern, vectorized code. Its higher memory bandwidth (307.2 GB/s vs 204.8 GB/s) and newer DDR5 support also make it the pick for memory-intensive data analysis.

The AMD EPYC 7413 is the specialist. Its wins in data encryption and integer math point to a clear advantage in cryptography, database workloads, and financial modeling. The 32.2% win in prime number searching suggests strength in mathematical research and certain scientific computing applications. Its 24.7% lead in the physics benchmark indicates it may be better suited for certain simulation workloads. The EPYC's larger 128 MB L3 cache likely fuels these wins, making it the better choice for datasets that fit within that cache. Its lower 180 W TDP also makes it easier to cool and operate in dense server environments.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon w5-3535X | AMD EPYC 7413 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 20 | 24 |

| Threads | 40 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.65 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 300 W | 180 W |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Codename | Sapphire Rapids | Milan |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 52.5 MB | 128 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 307.2 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 112 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4677 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2024-08-23 | 2021-03-14 |

| Launch MSRP | $1689 | $1825 |